FORMER Hibs, Dundee United and St Johnstone midfielder Danny Swanson made his debut for Cowden in the narrow 1-0 defeat to Morton on Saturday. 

The 37-year-old, who was at East Fife from 2020-22, started the SPFL Trust Trophy tie at Central Park that saw the Blue Brazil cause huge problems for the Championship side. 

They had the ball in the net inside a minute - it was ruled out - and later missed a penalty as player manager Dougie Hill looked back on a performance that belied their Lowland League status. 

He also played, and coach Gary Fusco had to be named as a sub, due to their injury problems which made the 90 minute display all the more creditable. 

Hill said: “We were right up for it from the kick off and I felt there was nothing wrong with the goal we scored in the first minute.

“I thought our young boys in the middle of the park - Olly Whyte and Shay Burke - were outstanding. Both were different class.

“Morton controlled the tempo of the game but we had the better of the chances I felt and in the last minute I felt we should have had a second penalty after Paul McLean had been fouled.”

Cowden player boss Dougie Hill felt his side were unlucky to lose to Morton on Saturday. Cowden player boss Dougie Hill felt his side were unlucky to lose to Morton on Saturday. (Image: David Wardle)

This Saturday Cowden have another cup game when they face East of Scotland League, Third Division side Ormiston Primrose, who currently sit fourth bottom of their league, in the South Challenge Cup with a 2.30 pm kick off.

Last season the Blue Brazil reached the last eight of this competition before suffering a heavy defeat from East Kilbride.

Hill, who also handed a debut to goalkeeper Ruaridh Lynch against Morton, hinted that he may rotate his squad for Saturday’s trip to East Lothian.

The addition of Swanson, who had featured as a trialist against Stirling University and Linlithgow Rose, and young forward Riley Haston on loan from Bonnyrigg Rose, has helped ease those injury woes and give the boss the opportunity to make some changes.

The veteran certainly has cup pedigree after winning finals at both Hampden and Wembley. 

Swanson lifted the Scottish Cup with Dundee United in 2010 and four years later he was part of the Peterborough United team that triumphed in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Haston, 19, was a prolific goal scorer for Haddington Athletic at under-20 level before being snapped up for the Rose by former Cowden boss Calum Elliot in the summer.

He's on loan to the Fife club until January.